Cactus Tacos Family to Take Over Starlite Room

The half-century-old Starlite Room will become the Startlite Cantina.

The family that took over the Henry’s Tacos location on the corner of Moorpark and Tujunga in Studio City has just bought the 57-year-old Starlite Room next door and plan to turn it into a sports bar.

“We want to call it the Starlite Cantina and make it a very fun place,” said Martha Silva, who is married to Marlo Tornel, who is listed as the purchaser of the business. Their son, Marlo Tornel  Jr., is manager of the Cactus Tacos #3 that replaced the neighborhood legacy Henry’s Tacos, which moved half a block away in Tujunga Village. 

It’s tough for regulars of the Starlite to talk about the sale of one of the longest-running businesses in Studio City.

“It’s still a little stunning for me to deal with, I’m not sure I can talk about it just yet,” said Risa Herring, who has owned the bar with her husband for the past 17 years.

Around lunchtime on Thursday, a plateful of food came from Cactus for the half dozen patrons at the bar, and Herring seemed nostalgic about the sale that was announced with an official “change of ownership” posting on the front door.

The owner of both properties, Mehran Ebrahimpour, knew that Herring was looking to sell, and had hoped the people that replaced Henry’s would also eventually take over the neighboring business that shares a parking lot. 

“We love the idea of taking over the Starlite and making that corner a happening place in Studio City,” Silva said. “We want everyone to be welcome there.”

Silva has worked in Studio City’s Sportsmen’s Lodge as a bartender and also worked at the Florentine Gardens in Hollywood and Ernie’s Tacos. She also works at an upholstery shop in Pasadena and plans to renovate the seats and décor at the Starlite.

The Starlite has no kitchen and doesn’t serve food, but now they envision that some food could be brought over from Cactus Tacos during Happy Hour specials, and more.

“I can see that I will make some ceviche over at Cactus and walk across the parking lot and bring it over,” Silva said. “We will have big screens and watch soccer and have real Margaritas and other special drinks.”

Silva is a sports fan who loves to watch tennis and soccer especially.

The Tornel family has also looked into valet parking for the corner, as well as special chauffeuring for people who may have had too much to drink.

“It will be amazing,” Silva said. She said the bar will stay opened during renovations, and they plan to take over in a matter of weeks. Some of the same employees could stay on, and they hope to keep the “regulars” at the Starlite.

Meanwhile, Herring said, “I wont’ be going anywhere too soon.”